Sole with integrated massage apparatus

Abstract

A massage apparatus and system are herein disclosed. The massage apparatus is embedded in a sole or insole of a shoe and includes a controller, massage pads, and a battery. The controller communicates with a remote controller to selectively activate the massage pads. The present invention allows for customizable massaging at reflexology regions of a user's foot.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A massage apparatus embedded in a sole or insole of a shoe, the massage apparatus comprising:
 a controller embedded in the sole or insole;   a plurality of massage pads embedded in and distributed across the sole or insole and operatively associated with the controller, each massage pad being selectively activatable by the controller to initiate a massage signal; and   a battery for powering the controller and the plurality of massage pads.   
     
     
         2 . The massage apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the massage signal is an electronic pulsation, a vibration of the massage pad, a light signal, pressure via a pressure pad, or inflation of the massage pad. 
     
     
         3 . The massage apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a transceiver for communicating with a remote controller. 
     
     
         4 . The massage apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a port or a wireless battery charger for charging the battery. 
     
     
         5 . The massage apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of massage pads are positioned to correspond to reflexology regions of a foot. 
     
     
         6 . A massage system comprising:
 a remote controller;   a massage apparatus embedded in a sole or insole of a shoe, the massage apparatus comprising:
 a controller embedded in the sole or insole and configured to communicate with the remote controller; 
 a plurality of massage pads embedded in and distributed across the sole or insole and operatively associated with the controller, each massage pad being selectively activatable by the controller to initiate a massage signal; and 
 a battery for powering the controller and the plurality of massage pads. 
   
     
     
         7 . The massage system of  claim 6 , wherein the remote controller is a control application installed on a mobile device. 
     
     
         8 . The massage system of  claim 6 , wherein the massage signal is an electronic pulsation, a vibration of the massage pad, a light signal, pressure via a pressure pad, or inflation of the massage pad. 
     
     
         9 . The massage system of  claim 6 , further comprising a transceiver for communicating with the remote controller. 
     
     
         10 . The massage system of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of massage pads are positioned to correspond to reflexology regions of a foot.